Understanding Antibiotic Use for Pig Farming in Thailand: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), recognised as a serious and growing threat to global health, is driven by antibiotic use. Understanding factors influencing antibiotic use is essential to design and implement effective interventions to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and AMR. This study aims to explore the practices and views of the key actors associated with the use of antibiotics for pig farming in Thailand, from local farmers to officers in central government institutions. Methods: A total of 31 in-depth interviews were conducted with pig farmers (n=13), drug retailers (n=5), veterinarians (n=7), and government officers (n=3) and representatives of health professional councils (n=2). Direct observations were conducted in pig farms. Thematic analysis based on practices, views and interests of actors regarding antibiotic use in pig production in Thailand. Results: There are various factors influencing the use of antibiotics. The factors may trigger greater antibiotic use including lack of knowledge and awareness about antibiotics and AMR, economic incentives, and loose regulatory frameworks. Farmers considered that antibiotics are necessary to maintain animal health, prevent and control diseases, and ensure economic gains, so using antibiotics was considered a worthwhile investment in pigs. There was limited information about antibiotic use in the curriculum and lack of clinical practice guidelines for health professionals. Veterinarians faced challenges in diagnosis and lacked antibiotic prescribing guidelines. Pharmaceutical companies applied market promotion strategies to increase sales; and used professionals as mediators with farmers. There was no control of antibiotic sale and prescription via the regulatory environment. The national policy on AMR could be facilitating factor to optimise use of antibiotics but its influence was weak relative to other influences which favoured antibiotic use. Conclusions: Our study highlights the need to improve antibiotic use in pig production in Thailand. Access to veterinary services and reliable information about animal health needs to be improved among farmers. Innovative low-cost investment in biosecurity could improve farm management and decrease reliance on antibiotics. Developing professional training and clinical guidelines, and establishing a code of conduct, are needed to improve practices in antibiotic prescription and sale amongst health professionals and industry.

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“…The lack of strong regulation and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials has promoted dissemination of ARGs in the Thai food chain (Lekagul et al, 2021). As a result, the Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives have implemented a ban on the use of any antimicrobials as a growth promoter in animal feed to combat antimicrobial resistance in livestock animals.…”

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“…Educational and sensitization campaigns about AMR, antimicrobial stewardship or biosafety could be promoted for farmers, veterinarians and also advisors [19].industries support such as pharmaceutical plants support such campaigns.…”

“…De ning A Basis For Amr Policies And Strategies different options that may provide an optimal basis for measuring impact that policies and strategies are intended to change is a basis for mitigating antimicrobial resistance [19]. an optimal base to formulate a regulation and measuring compliance and AMR relationship can be applied as they are correlated with AMR, enforceable and targetable in space and time [20].…”